Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, on Parade Mount Archive 20 mm x 27 mm)

20 mm x 27 mm)

a Heer Obergefreiter/Stabsgefreiter rank insignia

Soldiers had to remain on high alert because of possible raids on their positions

worn on a full length sash with badge attachment

The reverse bears the Japanese inscription translating to “Merit Badge

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross II Class, on Parade Mount Archive 20 mm x 27 mm)(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 II. Klasse an Einzelspange). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon affixed to a single parade mount with a horizontal pinback, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the